Erie Shores HealthCare welcomes MRI Suite opening

By Paul Forman

Smiles were in abundance at Erie Shores HealthCare on January 16 as politicians, hospital staff and members of the community marked the opening of a new MRI suite with a ribbon-cutting and a social hour that followed.

A special guest to mark the momentous occasion was Ontario’s Deputy Premier/Health Minister Sylvia Jones, the first sitting health minister to pay a visit to the hospital in over 30 years. Jones was on hand to announce that the province will be providing annual operating funding of $1.34 million, which will allow the MRI suite to operate 16 hours per day and provide up to 3,000 annual tests starting this spring.

“Our government is making record investments to ensure our hospital partners, like Erie Shores HealthCare, have the tools they need to continue to deliver high quality care in their community for years to come,” said Jones. “Today is an exciting day as we mark the official opening of ESHC’s new MRI suite and our government’s investment to expand access to diagnostic imaging, close to home, for families in Essex County.”

Kristen Kennedy, President and CEO of Erie Shores HealthCare, had the honour of cutting the ribbon and was clearly elated with the hospital’s newest diagnostic tool.

Kennedy said, “This is a transformative moment for Erie Shores HealthCare and our community. Adding permanent MRI services is a testament to our commitment to delivering innovative, patient-centered care. We are so grateful to the Ministry of Health for their continued support and investment in the health of our region.”

Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP/Associate Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response Trevor Jones was joined by MPPs Anthony Leardi and Andrew Dowie at the grand opening and said, “Residents of Essex County will now benefit from improved access to essential diagnostic imaging services closer to home, alleviating stress and reducing wait times for families. This is a moment of pride for our region.”

ESHC’s MRI suite itself has come in at a total cost of $5.5 million and has exclusively fallen upon the shoulders of community fundraisers and donors to pay for it. 

Kevin Black, Manager of Communications, Community Engagement and Public Affairs, indicated that the Hospital Foundation is still seeking large donors to cover the construction costs and will continue with initiatives to provide the final necessary funds.

Next in ESHC’s pipeline will be an expansion of their chemotherapy program.